1. Elderly North Korean men relax in the shade of trees at the Moranbong or Moran Hill park in Pyongyang.

With the heat and humidity of the capital city's summer now setting in, the Moranbong park is one of the most popular spots to unwind. Just a short walk from Pyongyang’s iconic Kim Il Sung Square, the park is famous for its shady walking paths, vistas of the city and grassy fields. Wong Maye-E / AP

2. A boy sits on a rock to sketch. Wong Maye-E / AP

3. A watercolor painting of the Moran Hill landscape is left to dry while a girl continues with her own painting, right. Wong Maye-E / AP

4. Students practice taekwondo. Crowded with couples at night and families on weekends, the park on a typical summer afternoon is used by schoolchildren practicing musical instruments, retirees playing chess or sharing stories, and young artists painting landscapes. At the bottom of the hill are stalls selling popsicles, chips and cold drinks. Wong Maye-E / AP